Chapter 199 A Stubborn but Soft-Hearted Guy
The words "I don't want to" rolled around on his lips several times, but Li Nanke still chickened out and said them without even looking.
He could only lower his head and stammer, "Your Majesty, the selection exam for the companion hasn't ended yet, and the rankings haven't been determined. Why don't we wait until the others have finished their pitch-pot game before making the selection?"
The emperor didn't take it seriously and waved his hand dismissively.
"I heard that you performed exceptionally well today, whether it was the test on female precepts, etiquette and manners, or pitch-pot."
"You've done a great service again today. Here's what we'll do: choose between Zhaoning and Zhaokang, whichever you prefer to be your study companion!"
Li Nanke gasped.
Let her choose the princess instead?
This is an act of rebellion against the Heavenly Generals!
Empress Xue's eyes were filled with malice.
Your Majesty is truly foolish. Li Nanke, the daughter of a fallen noble family, is not even worthy of carrying Zhao Ning's shoes, yet you still allow her to choose a princess instead?
She doesn't even deserve it?
Forcing a smile, Empress Xue said cautiously, "Your Majesty, isn't this a bit inappropriate? After all, Zhaoning and Zhaokang are princesses."
Even if Li Nanke were to achieve great merit, she would still be the daughter of a subject; if word got out, it would likely cause controversy.
The emperor's face darkened.
"Li Nanke has rendered meritorious service in saving Consort Shu and the Crown Prince. I grant her the privilege of choosing. This is my decree; who dares to object?"
It was as if Li Nanke was the one who had to choose.
Empress Xue gritted her teeth secretly, daring not to refute again, but her heart was filled with mixed feelings, as if a bottle of mixed emotions had been overturned.
She wouldn't want Li Nanke to choose Zhao Ning!
But if Li Nanke doesn't choose Zhao Ning, it would be humiliating for a princess to be chosen by a subject's daughter. If she were to lose the election, wouldn't that be even more humiliating?
Empress Xue couldn't quite describe the feeling in her heart.
Li Nanke was well aware of Empress Xue's inner turmoil; she was so worried she wanted to scratch her head.
I even want to ask Your Majesty, are you not ill?
Are you sure this is a reward and not torture?
In this situation, she would be making a mistake no matter who she chooses!
But in that instant, she also understood the emperor's meaning: either Princess Zhaoning or Princess Zhaokang.
His Majesty is determined to have her serve as his study companion.
Her eyes darted around quickly, and she subconsciously looked at Chen Cong, winking at him.
Shen Cong glanced at her quietly for a moment, then smiled slightly and slowly looked away.
Li Nanke's eyes widened in disbelief as he moved away so gracefully!
It was he who first warned me not to become Princess Zhaoning's study companion!
She pouted, looking aggrieved, and looked up at the emperor.
With a troubled expression on her face, she said in a wrinkled voice, "Your Majesty has instructed me to choose, and I dare not refuse."
However, both princesses are of noble status, and I really don't know how to choose. Perhaps Your Majesty could help me make the choice?
"Your Majesty, I will obey your command. Whichever princess Your Majesty appoints me to be her study companion, I will be that princess's study companion!"
The emperor raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
"You little rascal..."
Shen Cong, who had been silent all along, suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
The emperor turned to look at him. "A-Cong, what are you laughing at?"
Chen Cong stroked the hand warmer in his hand, "This is the first time I've seen my brother so happy. I always thought he was thorough and cautious in his actions."
Even today there were oversights, which shows how happy they are.
"Oh? What have I overlooked?"
"Your Majesty is selecting study companions for the two princesses. The princesses usually spend more time with their mother. Your Majesty's sister-in-law and Consort Shu are both here. Should Your Majesty ask for their opinions?"
The emperor stroked his beard and gently patted Chen Cong.
"Only you dare to speak so directly to me. You're right, we should ask the Empress and Consort Shu for their opinions."
He turned to Empress Xue, "What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Empress Xue forced a smile, which looked very unnatural.
She desperately didn't want Li Nanke to be Zhao Ning's study companion, but seeing how much the emperor appreciated and liked Li Nanke, she didn't dare to refuse directly.
She could only manage a forced smile. "Since Consort Shu is currently in a precarious position, let's hear her opinion first."
Consort Shu thought about it seriously for a moment, then propped herself up and kowtowed again.
"Your Majesty, I have a request that you would be grateful for."
"Please speak, my beloved consort."
"After today's examination, I think Miss Li and the fourth daughter of the Wang family are the most compatible. Moreover, Miss Li even saved me and the dragon heir."
Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to allow Miss Li and Miss Wang Si to serve as study companions in Zhaokang.
Zhao Kang is timid and cowardly. Miss Li is clever, and Miss Wang is cheerful; I hope Zhao Kang can be influenced by them and become more outgoing.”
Consort Shu spoke with utmost sincerity, taking into account both the life-saving grace and Princess Zhaokang's temperament.
The emperor pondered for a moment and then readily agreed.
"Let's settle on that."
Consort Shu was overjoyed and kowtowed again, supporting herself.
"Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of Zhaokang."
"My beloved concubine is unwell, please lie down and rest."
Li Nanke secretly breathed a sigh of relief and loosened his grip on her hand.
Although she still couldn't escape becoming a princess's study companion, Princess Zhaokang was much better off than Princess Zhaoning.
She looked up at Shen Cong and gave him a bright smile.
If Shen Cong hadn't reminded Consort Shu to speak up, this matter would have been truly difficult to resolve.
This guy is all bark and no bite!
Empress Xue was very displeased when she saw that Princess Zhaokang's companion had been chosen.
Zhao Ning is a legitimate princess, and Zhao Kang's companion has already been chosen before Zhao Ning's has even been decided.
It's all because that vile Consort Shu got pregnant!
She lowered her eyes to conceal the gloom in them, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, what do you think of Zhao Ning's companion...?"
The emperor's expression darkened slightly.
"I promised you that I would choose a companion from the Xue family, but Xue Ting's performance today has really disappointed me."
I haven't even asked you yet, what exactly happened to Xue Ting? Not only did she behave improperly before the Emperor, but she also almost caused Consort Shu's death...
If she hadn't caused Consort Shu to vomit and go to Suyu Pavilion to rest, then the imperial heir wouldn't have been nearly harmed!
Recalling the harrowing events of the day, the emperor unleashed his fury on Xue Ting.
"I asked you to handle and investigate, why haven't you figured out what happened yet?"
Empress Xue's face turned pale, and she quickly produced the speech she had prepared beforehand.
“Ting’er’s behavior in front of the Emperor is indeed deserving of punishment. I have already sent someone to send her back to the Xue family, and I have instructed the Xue family to strictly manage their household affairs from now on.”
Although Ting'er is young, she is well-mannered. If she hadn't been harmed, how could she have acted so rudely and improperly?
The emperor was taken aback.
"Harmed by someone else? Didn't she just have an upset stomach?"
Empress Xue looked wronged.
"How could that be? The food in the palace is all prepared by the Imperial Kitchen. Ting'er eats with everyone, and she has never been a glutton since she was little. How could she get an upset stomach?"
Her sudden, severe diarrhea was caused by someone giving her gaccharin fruit tea.
The emperor's face was cold and stern.
"Who is so audacious as to drug a noble lady in the palace?"
Seeing that the emperor already believed her to some extent, Empress Xue felt a little relieved and slowly uttered three words.
"Zhao Wanqing!"
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